Shelf



June l0, 1930. G. A. SHIELDS SHELF Filed Nov. 23, 1928 @JAY/@iam 5mmGnomeo.

Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES GEORGE ALBERT SHIELDS, F SANRAFAEL, CALIFORNIA snELF Application led November 23, 1928.

This invention aims to provide a display shelf which can be seen fromboth sides, the device being intended, primarily but not exclusively,for the display of small articles in glass jars. The invention,moreover, aims to provide a shelf construction which can be set up andtaken down readily, the structure being made of metal and being soconstituted that it can be kept clean and sanitary. Another object ofthe invention is so to'construct the device that it will have therequisite strength and stiffness even though it is made of light sheetmetal.

It is within the province of the disclosure to improve generally and toenhance the utility of devices of that type to which the inventionappert-ains.

Vith the above and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that, within the scope ofwhat is claimed, changes in the precise embodiment of the inventionshown can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings z- Figure 1 shows in elevation a deviceconstructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line 2-2 ofFigure l; Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross section on an enlarged scale taken through one ofthe shelves.

The device forming the subject matter of this application preferably ismade of metal throughout, and includes end plates 1 which are broadenedat their lower ends, as shown at 2. Each end plate 1 has uprightlongitudinal front and rear iianges 3 which extend inwardly in parallelrelation, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The bottom part of eachend plate 1 is turned inwardly to form a base flange 4 which can be seenin Figure 1 of the drawings.

On the outside of the flanges 3 of the end plates 1 are placed uprightreinforcing strips 5, and these strips are held on the Serial No.321,482.

flanges 3 through t-he instrumentality of securing elements 6. The lowerends of the strips 5 are turned outwardly to form supporting feet 7 jAny desired number of shelves 8 extend trom one of the end plates 1 tothe other, the shelves 8 having their ends disposed between the flanges3 of each end plate 1, as shown in Figure 3.

Each of the shelves 8 includes a plate-like body 9 provided around itsentire periphery with an upstanding rim 10. The side portions of the rim10 are turned inwardly to form a bead 11. The end portions 12 of the rim10 are not turned over to form such a bead, but are held by securingdevices 17 upon the end plates 1. Certain of the securing elements 6that connect the strips 5 to the iianges 3 pass through the sideportions of the rim 10 in a way which will be understood clearly whenFigure 3 of the drawings is noted.

Intermediatey its longitudinal edges, the body 9 is provided with aninverted troughshaped socket 14 which extends from one of the ends 12 ofthe rim of the shelf to the other end. In the socket 14 is placed astrengthening bar 15 held in place by securing devices 16, such asrivets, that pass through the side walls of the socket 14, to hold theside walls of the socket tightly on the bar 15 and to keep the bar 15 inplace.

Intermediate supporting strips 18 are 1ocated about midway between theend plates 1 and are united by securing elements 19 with the sideportions of the rim 10 on each shelf 8. The lower ends of the strips 18are turned outwardly to form feet 20.

The device described may be manufactured cheaply out of metal, and willpossess great strength notwithstanding the fact that the sheet metal maybe thin. The shelf shown in cross section in Figure 4 is especiallystrong, and, in general, the device will stand any reasonable wear andtear to which it may be subjected.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the class described, end plateshaving upright longitudinally arranged flanges, a shelf extended fromone end plate to the other and having its ends disposed between theflanges of each end plate, the shelf having an upstanding rim, means forsecuring the end portions of the rim to the end plates, reinforcingstrips eX- tended along the outside of the flanges of the end plates,securing devices connecting the reinforcing strips with the flanges ofthe end plates and With the side portions of the rim of the shelf, and asupport spaced from the end plates and secured tothe side portions ofthe rim of the shelf.

2. In a device of the class described, and members, a shelf locatedbetween the end members, the shelf comprising a body provided with anupstanding rim, the end portions of the rim being secured to the endmembers, the body being provided with an inverted trough-shaped socketextended between the end portions of the rim of the shelf, and astrengthening bar secured in the socket and of approximately the sameheight as the socket, the bar being of greater height than thickness, toreinforce the shelf in supporting a superposed load, the bar extendingfrom one end portion of the rim to the other.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixedmy signature.

GEGRGE ALBERT SHIELDS.

